USSSA Big Barrel Bats

Over the years we have reviewed every USSSA Baseball bat. These bats are also known as big barrel bats or Senior League bats. With the advent of USA Baseball (which now also uses big barrels compared to the 2 1/4 they used to use) the term Big Barrel does not quite capture the differentiation.

USSSA big barrel bats are 1.15 BPF bats with a maximum barrel size of 2 3/4. They represent the biggest bats on the market in terms of pop and they range from drop ranges of -5 up to -14.

Frequency Asked USSSA Big Barrel Bat Questions

We've hit with every big barrel bat since 2014. And, turns out, we also think we know what is the best one. We answer that question in a dedicated article called, wait for it, The Best Big Barrel Bat.

What is considered a Big Barrel Bat?

Now that Little League has changed their bat standard to allow 2 5/8 barrels (up from 2 1/4) the phrase Big Barrel has come to mean less. In the past, big barrel bats were 2 5/8 or 2 3/4-inch diamter bats built in the USSSA space. These were often called Senior League bats in reference to some national leagues upper divisions that allowed them.

Since the advent of the larger barrel USA Bat our expectation is that big barrel will no longer be a phrase we use to differentiate bats. Instead, it will likely be USSSA bats vs USA Bats (much like slow pitch uses U-Trip and ASA).

What is a Junior Big Barrel Bat?

Junior Big Barrel (JBB) bats were 2 3/4-inch diameter bats in smaller (24, 25, 26 and 27-inch) lengths. It appears this nomenclature will stick despite the fact that USA Bats are now "big" too. But, the JBB bats will serve the coach pitch and serious 7 or 8 year old baseball market that is NOT in USA Baseball.

Can a Big Barrel or USSSA bat be shaved or rolled?

Rolled

You wouldn't want to roll an aluminum Big Barrel bat, but there are some who swear by rolling composite bats as to work them in faster. Many consider this illegal. We discuss the ins outs of barrel rolling elsewhere.

Shaving

Shaving, an illegal practice, uses a tool to thin the walls of a bat and make it hit balls further. Big Barrel and USSSA bats can be shaved, albeit illegally.

Can you use a USSSA Bat in Little League?

If you are talking the official Little League then no, you cannot use a USSSA bat in a USA Bat League.

If you are talking a local rec league that you call little league (lower case L's) then maybe. You need to check with the local league and see what they approve.

Can you use a USA Bat in USSSA?

Yes. We don't think any should because the pop is much less. But, you USSSA has stated they will allow USA Bats in their sanctioned games.

What is a big barrel bat size?

Big barrel bats can come in either a 2 5/8 or a 2 3/4 barrel.

Now that PONY has adopted the USA Bat standard there really is no need for a 2 5/8 1.15 barrel. We expect the 2 5/8 barrels to slowly disappear as companies sell the inventory and the focus be put directly on the 2 3/4 in USSSA.

What size big barrel bat for my son?

We've had 3 sons go through the big barrel bat leagues. Turns out it the best size for him just depends. At best we have found bat size charts to be rough suggestions on the right size bats.